[tl]

Foundations just reprinted Savannah Lions (the 2/1 for W). It's still a good card in Limited (one of two actual good, popular formats in MtG). The interaction soup people of thousands of cards? Actually good in commander (the other actually liked format, a causal game for four people).

MtG's primary problems are: Wizards trying to make formats happen, often making them worse in the process, and price creep on their printed cardboard from: UB price hikes and MH price hikes, rarelands, chase mythics, questionable rotation changes, Secret Lair fails, pro-scalper behavior, etc...

[c22]

I run the famous Kird Ape/Taiga combo in my Kibo, Uktabi Prince commander deck. It's a turn one 2/3 with the right opening hand (easier now because there are a lot more mountain forests).

The game is definitely going through a metamorphosis right now with the focus on Universes Beyond (licensed IP crossovers) and "collectors", in some ways Hasbro is trying to have their cake and eat it too. Whatever form it takes going forward it's managed to repeatably re-engage my interest for the last thirty years which is more than can be said about any other game.

[pandemic_region]

Wait what Kird Ape is still allowed in regular play? Back then it was one of the most OP common card out there.